Doubtful that I'll be lugging my DSLR around for too much of the weekend however would still like to know how The Fest feels about photography at the shows? Is it an issue? (My first year...thanks)

Personally, it's my first Fest, but my friend took pics last year and no one got onto him.

AFAIK you are allowed to bring all gear to all shows. I've seen lots of people taking photos and video even without photo passes.

At least in previous years, all cameras have been allowed, whether they be DSLR, point n shoot, or cell phones. The only video or photo restrictions I could think of is they probably wouldn't want you bringing a tripod or monopod in, but that's just a guess, and seriously, who does that anyway? Just be wary of the PBR rain if you bring your camera.

I plan on going through like 11 disposable cameras that weekend.

There are no camera restrictions. Take pictures.

So my make shift helmet cam is going to be okay?

Excellent, thanks for the tips folks.

I have brought my DSLR in the past, but if you get in the pits/up close at all it's just too likely to get smashed and/or wet. I broke an expensive lens at Fest 8, and since then I've decided to go sans camera and just have a blast getting smooshed and wet (lol) at every show without worrying about it.

I've done both, taken junk eBay cameras and taken my 'pro' equipment, never had a photo pass but never felt I needed one. Had some problems with cameras getting knocked, wet, dropped, kicked etc... that's what insurance is for. If you never take your camera out, you'll never take photographs.

However, with this is mind – in all honesty, I probably spent more time taking pictures than enjoying the music.

This year I'll be taking a compact camera and that's it.

Hey,
I've been a "Fest photographer" for the last 3 years (and will be back again this year). My first Fest, though, I just brought my camera for fun and mostly to shoot shit going on outside the shows.

The venues have absolutely no camera restrictions. So feel free to take your camera and have fun! BUT, you are NOT allowed on any stage the entire weekend. I don't know you, but we've had problems in the past with people without passes thinking they can hop on stage just because they have a camera, which is why I'm mentioning it. Last year, SO many people tried to hop on stage during Against Me, it was a huge problem and a really big bummer to have to deal with while trying to watch/shoot that band.

With that being said, YES, take your camera. Have fun, and be careful! I've gotten beers thrown on my camera before. I'm assuming it's even worse within the crowds.

Just a note on this. Those of you "pros" with cameras: holding a lens within about a foot of a performer's face is about the dumbest and most annoying thing in the world. Also, crouching in front of them and hitting their pedals or moving their monitors is also low class. And impeding their path between their mic and their amp is stupid. I had to deal with so many idiots last year with Fest press passes that I have no desire to ever come in contact with a photographer ever again. I consider these folks almost worse than the idiots taping the sets on their phone instead of watching the actual show. Put your camera away, put your phone away and engage in the actual spectacle of the band playing. Sorry to be dismissive of your profession but do you think that anyone needs another close-up of some musician's sweaty face. And the long, streaky exposure stuff. You know that was already overdone fifteen years ago right?

I absolutely hate watching a show and see the stage so crowded with photographers that the band is struggling to enjoy themselves. This is why I am happy there are barricades this year as it will hopefully keep the press off the stage and in the well in front.

Jon

Two good points. Getting in the way of what you're shooting is Photojournalism 101 stuff. You should never, ever be impeding the band, and if you do, you clearly have no idea what you're doing up there.

Second, I do think that pro photographers have their place and there's nothing wrong with snapping a quick shot of a band you'll maybe get to see once in your life, but I agree that there's nothing quite as personally disappointing to me as being at a show and watching people on both sides of me spending the whole show pretending to be Ansel Adams with an iPhone.

I call this the "No-Danzig Rule"

So you prefer standard photos with average perspectives, medium focal lengths, moderate shutter speed... anything else? Favorite ISO setting or aperture? Film or digital? Color or blackandwhite?
And while we're at it, the whole punk rock thing was overdone 30 years ago. Its dead isn't it?